Ali Helps Daughter Prepare For 1st Fight

September 9, 1999

VERONA, N.Y. — -- Muhammad Ali's youngest daughter, who earlier this year told her famous father that she wanted to follow in his footsteps, is ready to step into the ring.

Laila Ali will make her professional debut Oct. 8 at Turning Stone Casino on a card featuring Donovan "Razor" Ruddock. The opponent in the four-round bout for the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Ali has not been announced.

Ali, 21, who operates a nail salon and also models, has the best of instructors. NormaLynn Cutler, Laila's publicist, said Laila has been getting tips from her father.

"She won't tell anyone, including me, what they are," Cutler said. "She says, `When I have the greatest boxer of all time as my mentor, why would I want to share the secrets he's given me?'"

Muhammad Ali, who has Parkinson's Disease, had told his daughter he didn't want her to get hurt.

Laila never saw her 57-year-old father box in person, and she had few memories of living with him. But by boxing, she believes he will gain a greater appreciation for her as his child.

"He's naturally going to see himself in me," Laila said. "But for the first time, I think he actually can see that `this is my child.'"